Waterfall Hikes Near Athens, TN

14,091 residents
New York Time Zone
44 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Athens splits the drive between Chattanooga and Knoxville, and its waterfall reach runs east into the Cherokee National Forest. Bald River Falls is the famous one out of Tellico Plains, 90 feet high and visible from the road bridge. Benton Falls takes an easy three miles to a 65 foot drop, dogs allowed. Snow Falls is the long haul at ten miles round trip, and the dog can come if its legs can. Forty-four falls land in range.

Located at 35.4573°N, -84.6045°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Athens

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

40 of 44 gauged

9 of 40 waterfalls near Athens are flowing strongly today

Abrams Falls Strong Bald River Falls Low Bullet Creek Falls Low Basin Falls Moderate Laurel Falls Moderate Ozone Falls Moderate Bemis Camp Falls Moderate Big Falls Moderate Leatherwood Falls Moderate Middle Falls Moderate Santeetlah Bluff Falls Moderate Sassafras Falls Moderate Upper Falls Moderate Stewart Falls Moderate Benton Falls Roaring Double Falls Barely Flowing Falling Water Falls Roaring Flatrock Falls Roaring Freudenberg Falls Roaring Rockstack Falls Roaring Slider Falls Roaring Flatrock Falls Moderate Hilliard Falls Barely Flowing Pilot Falls Barely Flowing Ray Falls Barely Flowing Stinging Fork Falls Barely Flowing Kennedy Falls Moderate Lower Falls Moderate Queens Falls Moderate Lower Piney Falls Strong Upper Piney Falls Strong Middle Creek Falls Barely Flowing Three Creeks Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Saturday

Sunny · 95°F

Thu 91°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Fri 93°F Mostly Sunny
Sat 95°F Sunny Best
Sun 96°F Mostly Sunny
Mon 97°F Sunny
Tue 94°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 93°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Athens

Updated about 4 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Benton Falls Roaring · 124 cfs 99th percentile
  2. 2 Slider Falls Roaring · 40 cfs 93rd percentile
  3. 3 Rockstack Falls Roaring · 40 cfs 93rd percentile
  4. 4 Freudenberg Falls Roaring · 40 cfs 93rd percentile
  5. 5 Flatrock Falls Roaring · 40 cfs 93rd percentile
  6. 6 Falling Water Falls Roaring · 40 cfs 93rd percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Athens

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Athens (9 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Benton Falls waterfall

Benton Falls

38 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
3.0 miles 200 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

45 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Athens (23 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Snow Falls waterfall

Snow Falls

32.5 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lower Piney Falls waterfall

Lower Piney Falls

20.2 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.5 miles 300 ft

All 44 Waterfalls Near Athens

Bullet Creek Falls waterfall

Bullet Creek Falls

26 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
3.0 miles 400 ft
Benton Falls waterfall

Benton Falls

38 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
3.0 miles 200 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

45 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Snow Falls waterfall

Snow Falls

32.5 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Morphy Falls

33.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lower Piney Falls waterfall

Lower Piney Falls

20.2 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.5 miles 300 ft
Upper Piney Falls waterfall

Upper Piney Falls

0.2 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 200 ft
Bald River Falls waterfall

Bald River Falls

46.8 miles away
Tennessee
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

8.6 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Ray Falls waterfall

Ray Falls

3.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Stinging Fork Falls waterfall

Stinging Fork Falls

3 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

49.1 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
Crystal Falls waterfall

Crystal Falls

4.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Hilliard Falls

8.2 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Basin Falls waterfall

Basin Falls

7.4 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Ozone Falls waterfall

Ozone Falls

12.8 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
0.6 miles 100 ft

Bemis Camp Falls

6.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Stewart Falls waterfall

Stewart Falls

6.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

6.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

10.2 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Athens

Are there free waterfalls near Athens?

There are 21 free waterfalls near Athens, including Bald River Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Athens?

There are 9 easy waterfall hikes near Athens, including Bald River Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Athens?

There are 23 dog-friendly waterfalls near Athens, including Bald River Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Athens?

There are 23 kid-friendly waterfalls near Athens, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Athens?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near Athens, including Lower Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Athens?

The shortest waterfall hike near Athens is Abrams Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Athens?

The tallest waterfall near Athens is Fall Creek Falls at 256 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Athens require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Athens requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Athens?

Yes, 31 waterfalls near Athens have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Athens?

The closest waterfall to Athens is Bullet Creek Falls, approximately 14.8 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near Athens With Waterfalls

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